Shelley Hendrix Reynolds: Oregon First State to Introduce Autism Insurance Reform in 2011

And we're off!

It's easy to tell the first Monday back after the New Year in the Government Relations department at Autism Speaks. It's full of sparks as rockets start taking off in every possible angle in the race to introduce autism insurance reform legislation in the states. States spend all fall hammering out policy details, knitting coalitions and growing their grassroots advocates and then BANG! It's off to the races. This mad pace continues throughout the first half of the year in the scramble to see whose states will achieve the objective this spring legislative session.

This January, Oregon entered the fray as the first state of 2011 to introduce autism insurance reform legislation with both a House and Senate version of the bill. Oregon has a legislative session that only meets during odd years. The team of volunteers in 2009 worked very hard but we just didn't reach this objective. We know more now. We are armed with more data and more states have enacted legislation. Oregon's volunteer leaders have spent time cultivating that fresh ground and sowing the seeds necessary for success.

Their time is now.
When you look at our map of the United States you see a swath of green across the nation utilized to signify the 23 states that have passed this legislation in the heartland, along the Gulf Coast and up the Eastern Seabord. But the west coast has remained unphased. All children with autism need appropriate health care coverage.

How is it possible that our nation has an entire coast where no coverage exists for our children to access the treatment and therapy they need?

2011 is the year to resolve that injustice. And Oregon Autism Advocates, I hope you will get involved and change your children's destinies.

Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle."

With Martin Luther King, Jr. day this past Monday, if you live in a state that has not yet turned green, listen to his words and let that motivate you. Do not give up. Do not sit quietly and depend on others to do this hard work for you. Roll up your sleeves, get busy and get it done. It is worth the struggle.

Yesterday, I spoke with a parent from a state whose law was recently implemented. Their child is severely affected by autism -- and is a teenager. Their family had lost hope. With the advent of the child's new ABA therapy program, because they have access to this treatment, he is now learning independent skills. He is making small meals for himself. He is doing his laundry. He can perform chores around the house. He is contributing to the family unit and because he is more engaged it has changed the dynamic of the family's life and his. These laws are changing lives. They can change yours.

If you live in one of the 27 states that have not passed autism insurance reform and want to get involved to change than visit www.autismvotes.org and sign up today.

Good luck, Oregon. We are rooting for you!